After a much-needed bye week in what has been another disappointing season for the New York Giants, they are set to return home this Sunday looking to snap a five-game losing streak. At 2-8, Big Blue is now playing solely for pride, and they hope that pride will fuel them as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have also struggled, losing their last four games.
This matchup against Tampa Bay will feature Tommy DeVito under center, as the undrafted quarterback looks to build on the mini stretch he put together late last season when he won three consecutive games for New York. However, all eyes will be on the entire team this weekend, particularly on these three players who cannot afford another poor performance.
These 3 players can't afford another rough showing for the NY Giants
3. Tommy DeVito, QB
Even though DeVito has yet to play a down during the regular season and had a nice stretch towards the end of last season, along with a strong preseason, let's not forget what happened in his next couple of starts. The undrafted QB has shown flashes of being a solid starter in the NFL, but the Giants have to hope that his struggles during his last couple of starts from last season do not carry into 2024.
While he gave Giants fans something to cheer about during a rough 2023 season by winning three straight games, reality set in shortly after that impressive win streak. Despite his early success, the quarterback struggled in his next two starts against the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, with the Giants' offense managing just nine points combined in those games. DeVito threw for only 232 yards total in those two outings and faced significant issues in the pocket, ultimately leading to him being benched for the remainder of the season.
Even though he appears to be an upgrade from Jones, DeVito needs to recover from those two rough outings that led to his benching. New York would love to see the version of Tommy DeVito who won three straight games, but he cannot afford to struggle, especially early on.
2. Evan Neal, RT
After not starting a single game for the Giants this season, right tackle Evan Neal is set to make his second consecutive start this weekend, following his season debut in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. It has been a tough road for the former first-round pick. If he wants to secure his place on the Giants' roster for the long term, he needs a strong performance.
Neal began this season recovering from an ankle injury that cost him most of training camp and the starting job at right tackle. Now fully healthy, he needs to elevate his performance. The 24-year-old struggled mightily last season, drawing boos from fans due to his poor play, and a stint on injured reserve further cast doubt on his future with the Giants.
Facing a Buccaneers defense ranked 30th in the NFL in yards allowed per game, Neal has the perfect opportunity to turn things around and solidify his hold on the starting right tackle job.
1. Deonte Banks, CB
This should not come as much of a surprise. Calling cornerback Deonte Banks’ sophomore season a setback would be an understatement. It has been nothing short of a disaster for the former first-round pick. With the New York defense preparing to face a dangerous Tampa Bay offense, Banks must avoid another dreadful performance at cornerback.
The Giants selected Banks with the 25th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and after a promising rookie season where he recorded two interceptions, 2024 has been a completely different story. This year, Banks has allowed the most touchdowns by any cornerback with six, and his struggles reached a low point when he was benched during Big Blue's Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Something has to change this weekend for the young cornerback, but it will not be an easy task for Banks or the rest of the Giants' secondary. The Buccaneers welcome star wide receiver Mike Evans back into their lineup, which could spell trouble for the Giants' defense. With Evans back in action, Banks may be on a short leash. He needs to elevate his play in a big way to avoid another tough outing against one of the league’s most dangerous wideouts.